Florida adds dash of zone to defensive recipe

Preparing to play Mississipppi State on Thursday night means preparing for the Bulldogs’ aggressive 1-3-1 zone defense.

But the opposite is also true. No. 3 Florida (17-3, 6-0 SEC) is playing more zone defense of its own this season and with solid results.

For Florida, a team with elite perimeter defenders in Casey Prather and Scottie Wilbekin, the defense is a change of pace.

A third of the way through the Southeastern Conference slate, Florida’s 58.8 allowed points per game ranks first in the SEC and ninth in the nation.

That’s 4.4 points behind its 2012 pace in which Florida posted its best defensive mark since the 1948 season.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim has frustrated teams for years with his signature 2-3 defense. The Gators this season have given opponents fits with man-to-man, press and, yes, a zone that sometimes uses one player or two at the top.

Comparing the defense of the 2013 Gators to this year provides for an interesting discussion. Guard Mike Rosario, primarily a 3-point shooter, was Florida’s biggest liability last season.

Forward Erik Murphy didn’t have the bulk of a typical power forward. Michael Frazier II was just a freshman and still adjusting to the college game.

Frazier, who ranks second in the SEC in 3-point shooting percentage, has placed an added emphasis on his defense in his sophomore year.

That’s not a surprise with Frazier playing nearly two seasons and a stint on the USA U-19 basketball team for coach Billy Donovan.

“My coaches and my teammates are pushing me to stay focused on it. I’ve definitely made huge strides since I was a freshman,” Frazier said. “And it continues. It’s a long process, and I’m getting better.”

As for Mississippi State (13-6, 3-3), the Bulldogs have won two of their last three and are 3-0 in home conference games. Their zone defense forces turnovers, and the Bulldogs are second in the SEC in steals.

“Defensively, they’re going to try to turn you over with some pressure. They’re a really good help defensive team,” Donovan said. “They rotate very well, and they’ve got good speed and quickness out on the perimeter.”